The Korean Community in Australia is launching its campaign to bring the Government's attention to the plight of temporary visa holders.
The Asia Pacific Assembly of the National Unification Advisory Council calls for temporary visa holders to be included in the Jobkeeper wage subsidy scheme.
The council says the federal government needs to expand the subsidy to temporary visa holders without “demarcation” and “discrimination“ over visas.
Acting Minister for Immigration Alan Tudge said he understood the Korean community’s appeal but disagreed with the term of “discrimination”.
“I understand the Korean community’s appeal. I disagree with the fact that they say that we are discriminating against anybody,” Mr Tudge said.
“Our message to those Koreans who are here on a short-term basis is that if you've got valuable work here, we still want you to stay here. If you're studying, we still want you to stay here, but if you are finding it difficult to make ends meet, then it may make sense for you to return home where you can get that support back in Korea, your home country.
“But I hope people understand that as the Australian government collecting Australian taxes, then our focus very much is on the Australian citizens and the permanent residents here just as in Korea, the focus is on the Koreans and the permanent residence in Korea.”
SBS Radio Korean Program conducted an interview with Minister Alan Tudge about the situation of temporary visa holders amid COVID-19 uncertainty.
[The Full interview is available on the podcast above]
